Ricoh TH5241 (Gen5i) Printhead, (Four colors, 3PL) - J381-0038

The Ricoh TH5241 (Gen5i) / J381-0038 is a compact four-color industrial inkjet printhead with 1,280 nozzles arranged as 320 nozzles across 4 staggered rows, and it supports up to 1,200 dpi printing in 4-color mode.

Specifications

•     What is the nozzle count and arrangement? The TH5241 uses 1,280 nozzles arranged as 320 nozzles per row × 4 rows in a staggered layout.
•     What print width and resolution does it support? The print width is 27.1 mm (1.06"); the head can achieve up to 1,200 dpi (300 npi in 4-color mode; 600 npi when used as 1–2 color).
•     What drop volume and greyscale? Single-drop nominal is 3 pL; multi-drop supports roughly 3–12 pL and up to ~21 pL in certain modes, with 4-level grayscale.
•     What firing frequency and drive levels? Typical firing frequencies are 40 kHz for 2-level and 24 kHz for 4-level operation.
• Ink compatibility and fluid properties
•     Which ink types are compatible? The TH5241 is compatible with UV, solvent and aqueous (water‑based) inks in typical industrial use.
•     What viscosity and surface-tension ranges are recommended? Typical nominal viscosity guidance is around 7 mPa·s and surface tension approximately 27 ±5 mN/m (confirm with your ink supplier).
•     Is pre‑heating or temperature control required? The TH5241 includes an integrated thermistor for temperature monitoring but generally does not include a heater; ensure ink temperature is kept within the manufacturer's operating range (spec sheets list an operating temperature reference).

Mechanical / electrical details

•     What are the physical dimensions and weight? Dimensions are approximately W 52.7 mm × D 45.8 mm × H 55.4 mm, weight about 63 g.
•     How many colors per head? The head supports up to four colors per single head (separate channels per nozzle row).
•     What interface/electrical requirements? Refer to the OEM/system integrator documentation for connector pinout and drive electronics; sellers typically provide the head only and expect a compatible controller/driver.

Applications and limitations

•     Typical applications? Signage, graphics, labels, textiles and other industrial inkjet uses where small form factor and multi-ink compatibility are needed.
•     Limitations? The head is compact and optimized for high-resolution narrow swath printing; for wide‑format printers you will use multiple heads and precise mechanical mounting and electronics. Also confirm UV‑ink chemistry compatibility (curing chemistry) before use.
• Installation and integration
•     Mounting/spacing notes? Nozzle row-to-row spacing (stagger distances) is specified (row spacing A ≈ 2.286 mm, B ≈ 6.095 mm); use these when aligning heads for multi-head stagger arrays.
•     Fluid path and priming? Use recommended filtration and degassing; follow recommended priming procedure from your OEM or ink supplier to avoid air pockets. Most sellers do not include plumbing—use compatible manifolds and fittings.
•     Handling precautions? Avoid touching the nozzle plate, keep the head capped when not in use, protect from contaminants and static, and store in manufacturer-recommended humidity/temperature conditions.

Common troubleshooting

•     Missing nozzles or banding: Check for clogged nozzles, air in the fluid line, incorrect ink viscosity, or improper priming; run nozzle checks and purge cycles.
•     Poor droplet formation / satellite droplets: Check ink viscosity, surface tension, drive frequency/voltage and nozzle contamination; confirm drive waveform and temperature.
•     Head not recognized or electrical faults: Verify cable, grounding, drive board compatibility and correct connector pinout per your controller documentation.
•     Short lifetime signs: Excessive abrasive or chemically incompatible inks, poor filtration, or extended high-temperature exposure can shorten life; use recommended ink and filtration.

Purchasing and part information

1.  Part number and naming:This model as Ricoh TH5241 (Gen5i) with part number J381-0038 (four-color, 3 pL nominal).
2.  New vs remanufactured: We offer both original new heads and refurbished units; confirm warranty and test policy before purchase.
3.  Example: quick spec snapshot

•     Nozzles: 1,280 (320 × 4).
•     Drop size: 3 pL (single), multi-drop 3–12 pL (up to ~21 pL).
•     Ink types: UV, solvent, aqueous.
•     Dimensions: 52.7 × 45.8 × 55.4 mm; weight 63 g.